Business grants are still available in Dundee

DUNDEE—Funds still remain available for both the downtown business facade grant and micro enterprise loan programs.Both are connected to the ongoing Health Improvement Project. Dundee Mayor Fred Cratsley Jr. reminded village residents about the two programs during the Sept. 28 meeting of the village board.The group also spoke about the recent Scottish Festival. Cratsley said, “I want to thank Fran (Willis) for her vision. It was very successful. I hope it happens again next year. It was a wonderful day.” The local crowd was small, apparently due to the fact the Dundee Scots football team had an out of town game. Cratsley concluded, “It was nice to see and hear the parade. It’s nice to see activity in town out of the norm.”In other business:Trees in the village were again a topic of discussion during the meeting. Cratsley said, “The disturbing thing about the trees in this village is that most are on the downside. I strongly urge residents to start replacing trees, even if they have to be between the sidewalk and the road. It’s important for the beautification of the village.” Streets Superintendent Andy Howell said Jim Bagley of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation toured the village and mostly agreed with Howell’s list of trees needing removal. However, there were two exceptions.There is a Tree City Grant which helps remove old trees and replace them with new ones. Bagley could come to a future village board meeting to review the conditions here. The board heard tree work bids are currently out for next year’s season. The village has a tree replacement program. When trees on village property are removed the property owner may receive a replacement tree, selected from a list of appropriate varieties. Howell said the problem is that some of the trees delivered this year are still in property owner’s yards, unplanted weeks after they were delivered.Cratsley said the village will have to evaluate the quality of work in the cemetery as well as the price when the next cemetery bid is reviewed. He said, “We have to look hard at the quality and the amount of damage we’re getting.”The board tabled action on adoption of the road preservation agreement.Tabled action on village code concerning Peddling and Soliciting, and Parks. The board will review changes during their Oct. 19 meeting with a public hearing expected to be scheduled on Nov. 9.Agreed to waive the liquor license renewel waiting period for the liquor store on Seneca Street.Bids were opened for pipe materials for the Water Street project. Blair Supply of Rochester was the low bidder at $32,704. Trustees approved rental of a punch tool for work on the project. Assistant Streets Superintendent Doug Jayne said use of this tool would avoid the need to trench across the busy street during construction.Bids were opened for lights at the sports field. Two bids were received. Cratsley said he would like to review bids before awarding the contract, Oct. 12.Village Clerk Christine Sutherland said a special price is available on materials for the park if ordered by Nov. 30. The discount would be $5,270. The cost without the discount is $74,000. Funding for the project was obtained through a grant from New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation office. Sutherland said once the materials are ordered they will be delivered.The company has two weeks in November they would be available to install the equipment. Village crews would help. Board members discussed the 10 by 40 foot space that would be needed for storage if work could not be done this fall. Howell said he does not have storage space for the materials. Trustee Greg Wright said the materials could be stored in his barn. Cratsley asked Sutherland to find out which two weeks in November the company would be available. He said time would be needed to find volunteers to help with installation.Trustee Judy Duquette asked if weeds in Millard Park around stone piles could be cut. Howell said the weeds had been cut earlier, but the wet summer resulted in the weeds growing back. Howell said Little League has done a lot of weeding last week. Duquette said she knows everyone is trying to make the park look better with the money that is available.Trustees approved the application of Alex Miller to join the fire department. Fire Chief Dan Peterson said he is waiting to talk with the village insurance company regarding provisional firefighters. Tabled was a proposal regarding use of village fire equipment and non-Dundee Fire Department members helping when Mutual Aid has not been called.Sutherland reported on the New York Conference of Mayors meeting she and deputy clerk Cheryl Wood attended. She said the biggest topic was election law. Sutherland said there is nothing about paper ballots in the new law. She said the village can continue to use paper ballots for local elections, but they must be the same ballots used for the general election.Absentee ballots will remain the same. Sutherland did not receive information about the cost of the new type of ballots.The next meeting of the Dundee village board will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 12. It will be held in the village hall on Union Street.